Beloved, welcome to this post. It’s great to have you here. It’s not by accident that you are here.

This is the day that the LORD has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

GOD bless you.

The topic before us is Back to Bethel.

This topic is very apt for me as an individual because lately, I get angry when I should simply ignore but GOD has been graciously merciful and is leading me the way to go. All Glory to JESUS who by the Holy Spirit has inspired me to write this topic. So here we are, there have been so many distractions, much pollution, so much garbage, that we really do need a breath of fresh air.

Being a Christian is a personal walk with GOD. It really does not matter if your parents or grandparents were/are Christians. It’s great if they were or are, but more important is your own personal walk with JESUS.

This was revealed to Jacob in Genesis 28:10-19, GOD told him in Bethel to establish a personal relationship with HIM. Abraham was Jacob’s grandfather, but GOD still wanted Jacob to personally establish a relationship with HIM. Jacob could only ride on his grandfather’s ticket as long as he had a personal relationship with GOD. GOD has sons and daughters, not grandchildren. Consequently, each person must have a personal relationship with GOD. It is not enough to hear beautiful stories about the Christians in our families, we need to become part of the story ourselves.

Bethel was Jacob’s first Divine Encounter with GOD. It was the place where Jacob saw the divine connection between Earth and Heaven. A place where GOD revealed HIMSELF to Jacob and promised him and his descendants, blessings and Divine protection. The Almighty GOD also assured him that HE would not leave him alone. Bethel was a special place for Jacob, for there he established a relationship with GOD.

After the encounter, Jacob was on his way to stay with his uncle Laban. He had fled from his father’s house (Isaac) because he stole his twin brother’s (Esau’s) blessings. He stayed and worked for Laban for a minimum of 14 years, in between he got married to Laban’s two daughters, Leah and Rachel.

Jacob had sons and thereafter a daughter. Life continued, he left Laban with his family and flock, settled the rift between him and his twin brother, Esau, wrestled with an Angel, got his name changed from Jacob to Israel and settled at Canaan. During his stay in Canaan, his only daughter, Dinah, was raped. In response, his sons got angry and slew the Prince who raped their sister (Dinah) along with all his kinsmen. So much transpired. However, after the Dinah issue, the LORD spoke and told him to go back to Bethel to build an Altar for GOD and to settle there. Genesis 35:1-7.

Jacob obeyed and told his household/family the conditions precedent to setting up the Altar. The foundation of the Altar must be right. The conditions were:

  • His household/ family must get rid of all their pagan idols, which they acquired by association in strange lands.
  • They must cleanse themselves, change their ways, take away old clothing and put on clean clothes.
  • They should bury their idols.

After fulfilling these conditions, the Altar was built and they settled at Bethel.

Bethel means the House of GOD.

Beloved, today The LORD is asking us to return to our First LOVE – JESUS CHRIST.

HE is calling us back to the place of the Cross; the place where we had an encounter with JESUS CHRIST and surrendered our lives completely to HIM; the place of our new birth; the place of total surrender and commitment to the LORD; the place of communion, the place of True Worship in Spirit and in Truth. Some of us have wandered away; so much had happened since we gave our lives to JESUS, so much meandering, pollution and compromise. The LORD is asking us to change our garments to that of Holiness and Purity. HE is asking us to be focused, disciplined, rugged, to be determined to walk with HIM by the Help of The Holy Spirit. HE is asking us to create time for Fellowship with HIM and not to be distracted by materialism, avariciousness and such as should not be found in us. Such idols should be buried.

Let us carefully examine ourselves in the light of the Word of GOD. Let us remember when we gave our lives to our LORD JESUS Christ. HE has promised not to leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5. We are to offer ourselves, HIS temple, as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to HIM.

Romans 12:1 says ‘Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters in view of GOD’s Mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to GOD – this is your true and proper worship.’

Remember, Bethel was the place where Jacob saw the staircase leading from Earth to Heaven.

We should be reminded that this world is temporal. The real deal is our relationship with JESUS, seeing HIM in Glory, so that we do not miss the substance which is the essence of Christianity for the shadow.

Permit us to mention Daniel who purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat. Daniel 1:8.

Conscious efforts, determination and discipline cannot be over flogged. So many things are luring some of us away from Bethel, our first place of Divine Encounter. So much bickering, blabbing, politicking and many more among us brethren even in the Church of GOD.

Thank GOD for another opportunity for us to build an Altar and settle in HIS Presence.

Our bodies are living sacrifices to our LORD and Saviour, JESUS Christ. So beloved, it is time for us to unplug ourselves from idols and whatsoever or whosoever takes us away from HIS Presence and Peace. Our LORD JESUS Christ is Awesomely Faithful. Kindly let us reflect on HIS Faithfulness and Promises. Beloved, with a heart of repentance, let us go to HIM; and in HIS Mercy HE Will take us back, revive and restore us.

Holy Spirit, please help us.

Thank GOD for taking us this far and thank you beloved for reading thus far.

Beloved, if you have come this far but do not have a relationship with our LORD and Saviour JESUS Christ, you are enjoined to do so now.

Now is the time of Salvation.

Please do not procrastinate. Tomorrow may be too late.

What you need to do: (Every born-again Christian went through this)

⁃ Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
⁃ Ask JESUS for forgiveness of your sins and to wash you in HIS Precious Blood.
⁃ Accept JESUS as your LORD and Saviour.
⁃ Fellowship with your LORD JESUS Christ.

Please attend a Bible believing Church – The LORD will guide you in your choice and in your journey. Surely, your life can never be the same again. Congratulations.

Beloved brethren, the LORD wants us back to Bethel now. I pray the LORD will help us to obey HIM.

Wow, we thank all who have read the post and request that you kindly share with others as there may be someone out there who needs this message.

We welcome contributions and use this opportunity to appreciate all our contributors who always give us broader insight into the topic. The Almighty GOD enlarge your coasts and give you greater revelation and knowledge.

Brethren, please pray for us also.

To everyone, we say thank you. GOD bless us all.

All Glory to JESUS. Thank YOU, JESUS.